Neem used in Prostate Cancer Treatment

One of the most common cancers in men is prostate cancer.  The latest statistics report about 181,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the U.S.  There is, however, a survival rate of about 80%, and about 26,000 die each year from the disease.

All of the conventional diagnostics and treatment options leave much to be desired.  The PSA testing and biopsy are prone to false positives and carry risks of side effects.  Drugs, surgery and/or radiation as a typical treatment, are risky.  Peter Starr, an award-winning filmmaker and prostate cancer survivor has written a documentary “Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery, Drugs or Radiation.”  This might be a very informative document to read.

Some safe and all-natural strategies have been shown to be effective against prostate cancer, including nutritional ketosis, exercise and supplements.  A bioactive compound in the neem plant (Azadirachta indica) was recently found by researchers that appear to have potent abilities to quell prostate cancer.

Neem has a long history of medicinal use and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and the ancient Vedas refer to it as a tree “capable of curing every illness.”  There are established benefits for your skin, and is also commonly used in personal care products.  Neem is used to erase gastrointestinal problems, strengthen immune functions, and as a spermicide and insect repellent.  This plant may also be a potent ally against prostate cancer.

A bioactive terpenoid compound has been found in neem through animal research.  This may shrink prostate tumors by as much as 70%, and suppress metastasis by about 50%, when taken orally for three months.  There were no noticeable side effects observed. Nimbolide has not yet been tested in humans, but research has supported neem as an anti-cancer aid.  Further research is required.

It requires more than taking a supplement to treat and prevent prostate cancer.  Diet is a vital part of the healing and exercise is another important metabolic optimizer.  A cohort study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Presentation found in 2013 that men who were overweight or obese increased their risk of prostate cancer by 57%.  Another key for cancer prevention is optimizing your vitamin D level.  This deficiency has been linked to several common cancers, including cancers of the breast, colon and prostate.

Vitamin K2 appears to also be a noteworthy player in prostate cancer.  Some other supplements that support prostate health besides neem extract are saw palmetto, astaxanthin in combination with saw palmetto and ashwagandha.

Toxin may increase your prostate cancer risk.  Some of the most ubiquitous endocrine disrupters to watch out for includes atrazine, phthalates, and bisphenol-A and bisphenol-S.

A report by the Institute of Medicine, about 30% of all medical procedures, tests and medications may be unnecessary.  The PSA test tends to result in over-diagnosis of prostate tumors.  About 30% to 40% of men treated for prostate cancer actually have harmless tumors that would never have caused a problem.  Remember the basics to prevent cancer.  Your lifestyle can be more or less predictive of your cancer risk.  Eat a nutrient-dense, non-toxic diet by ditching processed foods and focus your diet on whole, fresh foods.  Choose organically grown foods to avoid toxic pesticides that can increase your cancer risk.  Prostate cancer can be prevented and beaten!

Clean up your diet and add certain herbal supplements such as saw palmetto and ashwagandha to support your prostate health.  Increasing selenium and magnesium while decreasing calcium may reduce your cancer risk, and simple strategies such as prostate massage can be a helpful adjunct to prostate cancer treatment.  You have options when it comes to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Alternative routes of treatment are available and you will usually have time to pursue these other alternatives.

–Dr Fredda Branyon